Magnolia continued to stare, gravely; said nothing.
“Won’t you say hello to me?” the woman persisted; and smiled again. And again Magnolia returned her smile. “There!” the woman exclaimed, in triumph. “What did I tell you!”
“Cat’s got her tongue,” the sloppy young man remarked as his contribution to the conversation.
“Oh, come on,” said the pretty girl; and popped another cherry into her mouth.
But the woman persisted. She addressed Magnolia gravely. “When you grow up, don’t smile too often; but smile whenever you want anything very much, or like any one, or want them to like you. But I guess maybe you’ll learn that without my telling you. . . . Listen, won’t you say hello to me? H’m?”
Magnolia melted. “I’m not allowed,” she explained.
“Not——? Why not? Pity’s sake!”
“Because you’re show-boat folks. My mama won’t let me talk to show-boat folks.”
“Damned little brat,” said the pretty girl, and spat out a cherry stone. The man laughed.
With a lightning gesture the older woman took off her hat, stuffed it under the man’s arm, twisted her abundant hair into a knob off her face, pulled down her mouth and made a narrow line of her lips, brought her elbows sharply to her side, her hands clasped, her shoulders suddenly pinched.